Children are being offered a chance to light up the February night sky and be part of Coastival 2011!

A lantern parade will form part of the exciting opening event at Coastival 2011 next February and there will be a prize for the best.

And to give local children some help with designing their lantern, Coastival organisers have arranged two lantern-making workshops:

Saturday 22nd January from 1pm to 4pm at Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall

Saturday 29th January from 12 noon to 4pm at Rotunda Museum, Scarborough.

The workshops are free and open to all children under 12. All materials will be provided and an artist will be on hand to offer advice. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Donations will be welcome.

There will be a competition for the best decorated individual lantern (prize of £50). Photo entries must be emailed to contact@create.uk.net by Monday 7th February 2011 to be entered and the winner will be announced at the parade.

The Coastival Opening Spectacular will be held on the evening of Friday 18th February to get Coastival 2011 off to a flying start.

Youngsters are urged to get to the starting point at Valley Road, beneath Valley Bridge, at 4.30pm. The first 400 children arriving with a lantern will receive a free glowstick to put in their creation, ready for the parade, which starts at 5pm.

Gigantic creatures from the prehistoric age will join the parade as it weaves its way majestically towards the Spa.

Following the end of the parade, there will be a “Scarborough’s Finest” concert at the Spa Theatre from 6.30pm, celebrating excellent local talent.

It is free but people wanting to attend must book tickets in advance by calling 01723 384545.

A full programme of music, theatre, comedy, dance, arts and entertainment will all feature in Coastival 2011 from 18th to 20th February. In all, more than 100 events, many of them free, will be held.

As Essential Guide is available giving full details of all the acts, events and attractions that will feature. It is on sale now for just £2 (£1 when bought with tickets online).

Iconic rock band Levellers will be the headline act in a packed programme which also includes Rollercoastival – events, activities and entertainment for children.

The Essential Guide is available from Scarborough Library, the Tourist Information Centres, Woodend Creative Industries Centre, Scarborough Arts Gallery, The Rotunda, MOJO’s music café and also by contacting Coastival on 01723 384545 or via www.coastival.com or by email at info@coastival.com

Website visitors can also sign up to receive the latest updates on Coastival during the build-up to the festival.